Water Quality Monitoring Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1) – Two Openings

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has two full-time opportunities available for a Water Quality Monitoring Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1) in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Please note that 1 of these 2 positions is identified for potential reduction during the 25-27 legislative session. There is no certainty in reductions being implemented at this time. The final determination will be after legislative session ends late June 2025

About DEQ!

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU

The Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division’s (LEAD) mission is to provide timely, high-quality data and information through monitoring, laboratory services, and data analysis. The Division serves the Agency programs and regional offices throughout Oregon and provides the scientific information necessary for the agency to achieve its mission to be an active leader to restore, enhance, and maintain the quality of Oregon’s air, water, and land. Check out the DEQ Laboratory video: https://ordeq.org/labvideo

Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

Would you like to travel and explore Oregon’s towns from La Grande to Lakeview, from Garibaldi to Grants Pass? In this position, you will drive vans specialized for water monitoring across the state and stay overnight about three nights per week, two to three weeks per month, year-round to collect samples and measure water quality in Oregon’s rivers and lakes and groundwater. You will usually work with a field partner but may occasionally be working solo. You will be the primary field investigator for the surface water Ambient Monitoring Network and the Harmful Algal Bloom Recreational Waters Monitoring Network. For both of these networks, you will provide technical assistance, training, and logistical expertise to other DEQ field staff. You will be responsible for the collection, preservation, and shipment of water samples to the DEQ Laboratory for chemical analysis. You will also develop expertise in using, calibrating, and repairing water quality monitoring equipment and meters. DEQ and others will use the information you collect to assess  and report on water quality and watershed health throughout Oregon.

What’s in it for you!

You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues in a supportive and dynamic workplace! DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today!
 

This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience in an environmental science or natural resources field, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resources, physical science, or a closely related field.

Candidates who are most competitive will also have the following:

• Lived experience or demonstrated understanding of environmental justice, such as the importance of environmental monitoring that considers potential benefits to underrepresented or underserved communities; demonstrated ability to learn about and integrate environmental justice principles into one’s work.
• Lived experience or demonstrated learning about actions and systems that enhance workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Experience calibrating, operating, and trouble-shooting water quality field equipment, such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen meters and multi-parameter continuous monitoring devices.
• Experience collecting and preserving surface water or groundwater with various devices and methods.
• Experience with logistical planning and executing multi-day environmental sampling trips.
• Experience following detailed protocols and procedures and maintaining clear documentation of deviation from procedures.
• Experience working with geographic information systems and mapping programs.
• Demonstrated good field safety judgment and experience.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, observation skills, and evaluative skills.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

Most work is performed outside in the field at sites accessible by van, truck, or car. Most sampling takes place from bridges on roads with traffic and occasionally by boat or from boat docks. Field activity may include exposure to adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic, pollutants, hazardous and toxic substances, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, and fall or tripping hazards. Field work may include kneeling, crouching, climbing, substantial walking, strenuous hikes, and carrying loads of up to 35 pounds.

This position requires driving long distances and about three nights of overnight travel (staying in hotels) up to three weeks per month, year-round, for fieldwork away from the Portland metro region. Office work is in a laboratory environment which receives water quality, hazardous waste, and biological samples.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account.  View this knowledge article for assistance.

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Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your application materials clearly demonstrate all the attributes, experience and minimum qualifications you would like DEQ to consider.

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Veterans Information:

DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. Instead, you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.

Equal Pay Analysis:

As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.